How much is a reasonable amount to live on?

[shoobaloo]

I will soon become a SAHM and I'm wondering about us living without my wage. I've always worked and so have no real idea how other SAHM families cope with having only one salary. After paying mortgages, bills etc, we will have around 700 pounds (sorry - can't find the pound sign!)a month for food, clothes, going out etc. Does this seem like enough to live on for two adults and a baby? Whats the average amount people are living on out there? Sorry - I know it's a personal question but we're just really curious to know if we're doing the right thing or not IYSWIM. Thanks in advance.

Shoobaloo, it will all depend on how much you enjoy being a SAHM...

If you are loving it, then you can easily manage on that amount, but you will have to cut down.

If you are only ok or would rather be at work then you will find it really hard to economise...

I was also in the position that I didn't have to think about what I was buying before DD and do find it hard sometimes when I fancy something but have to wait..

But as I love being a SAHM I am willing to go without. And to be honest my going without is probably more than some people have ever had...

I buy most of DD from either Ebay or lately internet sales (boden, next, pumpkin patch etc)..

My shopping is still more expensive than most so could still do with cutting back more, but like I said I am sure that you will manage fine on £700.00 and enjoy being a SAHM...

sounds ok to me - how many new clothes do you really need anyway? They're only going to get covered in baby muck!

we're living off £77 a week until our money is sorted at the jobcentre, very tight indeed.

£700 AFTER bills sounds more than ample. We spend about £250 a month on groceries for 2 adults and 2 small kids (DS in real nappies are all paid for though.) That includes a couple of bottles of cheap wine a week.
If you don't have one, get a milkman so you're not tempted to pop out for milk and spend £15 every other day.
Re cooking an evening meal, just make sure you cut up your meat and bag it into portions before freezing it so you can pop it in the fridge to thaw before you go to bed each night.
There's loads of things you can do to save money (you'd actually have plenty to invest back into the mortgage or Child Trust Fund if you wanted to be dull). I'd imagine it's just habit changes from being a working girl you'll need to consider, like not having coffee and pastry everytime you go out and packing snacks and drinks for yourself instead. You won't need so many smart changes of clothes either - see if you can use some of your working gear into casualwear.
Think about holidays and car efficiency too - camping is very cool at the moment and I've done it with a 1yr old whilst suffering from morning sickness and still had a good time!
HTH, Liv

£700 is definitely do-able - we budget for around £250 a month for food and nappies, (in fact I'd include that in my bill list as it's an essential) and are left with under £100 a month for non-essentials - well actually we're left with £0 a month, but try not to run up more than about £100 on the overdraft!! But I agree it's what you're used to rather than the specific amount. Meal planning is really useful to cut down spending. Things like birthday presents are the real killer for us - there's always 2 or 3 birthdays each month we need to get stuff for. And don't mention Christmas..! (gulp). So maybe try to get into the habit of putting at least £100 of your £700 away each month for presents and you should still have enough for food, clothes and nice days out!

Hi again all - I think I will def try to put some of that 700 quid away a month - DH thinks I spend money like water so it would be a nice surprise for DH if I could say in a few months time, 'Ooh look, here is some money I've been saving so that we can have a little weekend break away', or whatever! Something to aim for!

£700 seems a reasonable amount. I have a few friends who only earn that amount each month & they seem to be ok. I don't know what job you do, but I think it's easier to buy cheaper casual clothes than cheap workwear & suits (plus in places in Primark you can get several items & have plenty of change left from £20!)

I think also that as you are making the choice yourself it'll seem easier to make sacrices regarding new clothes & treats then if you were say forced to give up work for whatever reason.

Well after paying the mortgage this month DH and I have £450 (including all tax credits) to pay ALL of our bills. This month is going to be really tight.

£700 sounds good to me but like the others have said it is dependant on lifestyle and how much you enjoy being a sahm.

we have £152 until the 15th Aug, food for five of us and petriol for dh for work to be paid. We WILL manage it, done it before, but Dh miserable as has to stay in now and can't go see friends

Check out Martin Lewis to find the best ISA for short term savings. Feel obliged to remind you to sort out any credit card balances and non-mortgage debts before you start saving though but I'm very boring.